Obituary of Joan Eileen (Baldwin) Nichols

It is with profound sadness the family of Joan Eileen (Baldwin) Nichols announce her death, at home, in Sackville, New Brunswick on Sunday, October 21, 2018.

Joan was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1927 as an only child of Andrew Baldwin and Phyllis (Lee).  She graduated in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto in 1947 with a keen interest in patients suffering from mental illness.  She began her career in Kingston, Ontario before heading a department in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where she met Edward George Nichols, whom she married in 1951.  She also practiced in Charlottetown and London, England prior to raising her four children:  Diana (Randall Nelson), Edward (Mona Kafoury), Jonathan (Ruth Cormier) and Marienna (Gregory MacDonald).  She resumed her career in Occupational Therapy, working in Sydney, Australia, followed by completing a Classics Degree from Mount Allison University, graduating in 1977.   She returned to Occupational Therapy practice at the Drew Nursing Home in Sackville, New Brunswick. 

Joan created vibrant, inviting homes in both Sackville, New Brunswick and the Pin’cle in Musquodoboit Harbour. All were welcome, well fed, and watered!

Joan had many interests and she remained remarkably active to the end: playing bridge; pegging out in cribbage - much to the chagrin of anyone who dared accept her challenge; celebrating life with the Birthday Girls; sharing knowledge in the Once in a While Club.  She discovered curling late in life and her bowling prowess was epic, repeatedly trouncing friends and family at annual Christmas bowling parties! Joan was also a talented artist and an active member of the Sackville Art Association.  Other passions included supporting the Food Bank (Amherst); the Sackville V.O.N; and Palliative Care at the Sackville Memorial Hospital.  She received Provincial recognition as a builder of the Minor Basketball program in 1977.    

Joan was so very proud of her four children; eleven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. As the matriarch, Joan was forthright in her advice, loving in her support, and generous with her time.  Joan’s love and pride of family and friends was displayed in a collage of photos that covered her fridge from top to bottom and reminded her daily of those she loved. 

The family would like to extend special thanks for the care and kindness provided by the Extra-Mural nurses; Dr. Ross Thomas, and good friend, Louise Estabrooks.

A Sharing of Memories will be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 125 East Main St, Sackville, New Brunswick on Saturday, October 27th at 11:00 am, with reception to follow in the Parish Hall. 

Donations can be made to the Tree of Hope at the George Dumont Hospital (http://www.arbredelespoir.ca/en/), or the George Nichols Prize in Psychology at Mount Allison University.

As a final note, any errors or omissions in this obit are the responsibility of Joan’s children alone as we have lost our beloved Editor-in-Chief!